The word kashaya (passions) can be broken down into kasha,
meaning worldly life and aya, meaning gain. Thus the literal
meaning of kashaya is to gain worldly life again. This means that
as long as we have the kashayas, the cycle of birth and death
will continue. There are four types of kashayas namely: krodha
(anger), mana (ego), maya (deceit), lobha (greed). These four can
be grouped into two categories: 1) rag (attachment), 2) dwesh
(hatred). Rag is formed from maya and lobha and dwesh is formed
from krodh and man.

Spiritually, our goal should be to get rid of worldly life and
become liberated. But, when we grow attachment, hatred or
passions for worldly objects, we hinder the spiritual progress of
the soul. Until we are under the influence of passions, our
intellect becomes irrational, we become vicious by nature. Thus,
the passions are the greatest enemies of the soul and we should
save ourselves from their influences. Affinity, affection,
hostility, dislike, or disgust, etc., are the roots of passion.
We develop affinity or hostility for things due to our distorted
attitude, ignorance, and false perception and knowledge. We,
humans, are opportunistic and when we are deprived of what we
want then we react with anger. In the same way, if we do not get
the fame we think we deserve, our ego hurts and we react
accordingly. Therefore in reality even the anger and ego are
caused by the liking and liking is nothing but one form of an
attachment (rag). In other word, attachment is the single root of
our all passions. So, those who have conquered attachment that
means they dont have any attachment have conquered
everything. It is for that reason that the Lord Jina is called
Vitaragi, one who has no attachment.

Passions are caused by the maturating of previously
accumulated Mohniya Karma. Therefore, instead of reacting with
more passion to the situations we should stay tranquil or calm in
order to break the cycle which causes the new karmas. Our aim
should be to stop the new karmas from coming in and get over the
effect of old karmas calmly. If we can do that, the door to the
liberation will open.

The four passions: krodh, man, maya, and lobha, are each
further sub-divided into four types, depending upon the of their
intensity. They are:

Anantanubadh (extremely severe): This obstructs the right
belief and conduct and until it is destroyed, we cannot
attain the right belief or conduct. Its effects pursue
through a long long time and always operate with Darshan
Mohniya Karma.

Apratyakhanavarana (severe): This obstructs the partial
renunciation but does not affect the true belief. While
it is active, we cannot take the vows even in a limited
form.

Pratyakhanavarana (moderate): This obstructs the total
renunciation, but does not affect the right belief and
partial renunciation. While it is active the partial
renunciation is possible by us, but the total
renunciation (becoming a monk or nun) is not.

Sanjvalana (slight): This obstructs the attainment of
total right conduct, but does not affect the right belief
and total renunciation. While it is active, initiation
into monkhood or nunhood and spiritual progress are
possible, but becoming Vitragi is not possible.

Krodha (Anger)

When anger flares we lose our sense of judgment. The virtues
like love and forgiveness are destroyed. The anger trgers if
someone acts against our wish, if someone causes obstacles in the
fulfillment of our desires, or if someone breaches our trust.
Everyone wants to stay away from those who become angry easily.
Due to anger, friends become foes. No one wants to help an angry
person, nor does anyone loves him. The anger nourishes revenge
and therefore, instead of an angry nature we should have a
forgiving and peaceful nature. Not only is anger harmful in this
life, but it can bring the bitter consequences into our next
lives too. Sometimes, the virtuous people become angry, but they
immediately calm down and ask for forgiveness from the people
involved. In such situations, that is the the right way to act
and we should do the same. This way, the sin caused by anger
would be removed. We should cultivate virtues such as
forgiveness, penance, and repentance.

Lobha (Greed) A greedy person is not
satisfied with what he has. To get more, a person may use all the
means without caring for the others. We should not forget that
our gain is someone elses loss. The greed prevents us from
giving and sharing. We should be content with what we have and
only accumulate to meet our needs. We should develop the habit of
helping others by offering what we have. Greed destroys the peace
and happiness while caring brings them back.

Mana (Ego)

One who is full of ego looses his sense of judgment and
politeness. A proud man invites his own destruction. We can
obtain the knowledge only if we are humble. Humility brings good
thoughts where there is no room for the pride or ego. Humility is
at the root of religion and it is rather difficult to develop
religious feelings as long as ego exists.

Maya (Deceit)

Deceit is responsible for a dishonest life. Due to deceit one
loses friends. Honesty helps to realize the truth. A deceitful
person has little understanding of religion.

There are nine No-kashayas (pseudo-passions) which trigger our
passions. They are:

Hashya - laughing or joking

Rati - pleasure for sensual activities

Arati - displeasure for sensual activities

Shoka - sorrow

Bhaya - fear

Jugupsa - disgust

Prurushved - cause of sexual desires for women

Strived - cause of sexual desires for men

Napumsakaved - cause of sexual desires for both men and
women

Manifestation of no-kashayas decreases as spiritual uplift
begins. Therefore, we should be careful not only of kashayas, but
of no-kashayas, too.